02/06/2026
The next Erasmus+ programme must be equipped with the budget, governance and predictability needed to continue delivering for learners, staff, institutions and society. 📝
In a joint statement, the European University Association and 16 partners from across the European higher education sector have jointly welcomed MEP Bogdan Zdrojewski ’s draft report for the Parliament’s Committee on Culture and Education (CULT). The statement also urges the European Parliament to readjust the budget share that the document puts forward for education and training measures.
💶 The draft report proposes €47.39 billion for Erasmus+ under the EU’s next long-term budget, which is a welcome increase on the Commission’s proposed €40.8 billion. However, it is still below the €58 billion previously proposed by the CULT Committee and the at least €60 billion requested by the higher education sector. Funding at that level is needed to expand Erasmus+ in line with policymakers’ ambitions for the programme, including supporting the Union of Skills and the European Education Area. MEP Zdrojewski's report also proposes substantial synergies with other EU funding programmes, e.g. co-funding of the new scholarships in strategic educational fields by the European Competitiveness Fund, as well as for the European Universities alliances. This aligns with the calls of the higher education sector.
The joint statement signatories are particularly concerned that the draft report would allocate a share of the Erasmus+ budget to education and training that is more than 6% lower than in the current programme. ⚠️ The actions funded under this budget line are fundamental to the success of the entire programme, and such, it should at least be readjusted to its current level.
That said, it is very welcome that the report introduces minimum budget allocations for different sectors and actions. This will help to ensure transparency and give the higher education sector more planning certainty to sustain quality and access throughout the programme period. 📊 Until now, concrete proposals for such allocations were missing, so the draft report provides much-needed clarity for beneficiaries and stakeholders on what the future programme can deliver, and at what cost.
ℹ Read the full joint statement at https://bit.ly/3RUkYny
Erasmus Student Network European Students' Union - ESU EURASHE EAIE European Association for International Education UNICA - Network of Universities from the Capitals of Europe Academic Cooperation Association DAAD European University Foundation
